Production Update Magazine (P3), in the July 2010 issue, announced its annual list of
America’s “Top Ten” states for film production. Massachusetts made the list–this time
joining Connecticut as one of only two states in the northeast to earn that distinction.
Connecticut offers filmmakers a 30% tax credit. The Massachusetts credit stands at
25%.
Massachusetts has also appeared on other industry “top ten” lists including;
MovieMaker Magazine (Jan 2010), The Los Angeles Daily Journal (May 2009), and the
Motion Picture Association of America (April 2009). This is the third time Massachusetts
has been singled out by Production Update Magazine since 2007. P3 does not rank
order the states included in their “top ten” list.
In alphabetical order they are: California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois,
Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, & Utah.
In these tough economic times, the luxury of travel has become less frequent among
Americans, but the same doesn’t ring true for American filmmakers. Productions of all
types and sizes are hitting the road and bringing into play what this country has to
offer beyond the glitz and glamour of Tinsel Town. With tax incentive programs
aplenty, a deep crew base and bountiful infrastructure, filmmakers will find themselves
hard pressed to find a reason not to film in these great states.
MASSACHUSETTS
Qualifying productions planning to shoot in the Old Colony State can earn a tax
credit of 25 percent of every new dollar of spending. Not only does Massachusetts’
tax-incentive program benefit productions filming in-state, but the cost to taxpayers is
minimal. Taking into account production tax credits redeemed over the past four years,
the Massachusetts Film Office (MFO) reports that the actual cost to taxpayers is only
10 percent of every dollar that is brought into the Massachusetts economy.
According to the MFO, “Massachusetts is … the only state in the country that
allows filmmakers to take their credits either as a direct rebate at 90 percent of the
face value (guaranteed) or to sell them at market rate — whichever is more favorable.…
Beginning with the start of preproduction and continuing for a period of 12 months,
filmmakers will be eligible for 100-percent sales-tax exemption on any production-
related items purchased in the state.” The MFO also points out, “This credit is not just
for big Hollywood moguls. With the spending threshold lowered to $50,000 and with
‘digital media projects’ now eligible, Massachusetts has extended the benefits of the
film tax credit to thousands of locally based, small independent and documentary
filmmakers — key elements of our ever-expanding Creative Economy.”
In support of its calculations, the MFO website has posted select portions of
the results of a February 2010 UMass report on the Massachusetts film industry. The
study shows how direct in-state production spending has had a “ripple effect” on
spending in Massachusetts in general, and how it has generated even more tax revenue
for the state: For each new dollar collected from direct production spending within the
state, an additional 95 cents are generated in indirect spending, which means not only
more tax money pouring into Massachusetts’ economy, but also a greater benefit to
Massachusetts’ residents. The UMass report also notes that employment in film and
television production has increased in Massachusetts during a period when total state
employment was on the decline, as the Massachusetts’ film-incentive program has had
a significant impact on the state’s economy as a whole, even in this tough economic
climate. The study states that some of this job growth has helped to offset job losses
in other sectors, like construction and transportation, as Massachusetts is “among the
fastest-growing” states in the country for film production.
Many high-profile film and television projects have recently shot in Massachusetts,
including Knight and Day (starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz), The Fighter (starring
Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg and Amy Adams), The Town (starring Ben Affleck, Blake
Lively and Jon Hamm), The Company Men (starring Kevin Costner, Ben Affleck and
Tommy Lee Jones) and NBC’s “Losing It with Jillian” and “Friday Night Lights.” For
upcoming productions seriously considering Massachusetts, the Film Office will assist
producers in identifying “script-appropriate, film-friendly” locations in the state; cover
and break down scripts for locations; post photos on the web for producers to review;
and help facilitate your first location scout in the state.
America’s “Top Ten” states for film production. Massachusetts made the list–this time
joining Connecticut as one of only two states in the northeast to earn that distinction.
Connecticut offers filmmakers a 30% tax credit. The Massachusetts credit stands at
25%.
Massachusetts has also appeared on other industry “top ten” lists including;
MovieMaker Magazine (Jan 2010), The Los Angeles Daily Journal (May 2009), and the
Motion Picture Association of America (April 2009). This is the third time Massachusetts
has been singled out by Production Update Magazine since 2007. P3 does not rank
order the states included in their “top ten” list.
In alphabetical order they are: California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois,
Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, & Utah.
In these tough economic times, the luxury of travel has become less frequent among
Americans, but the same doesn’t ring true for American filmmakers. Productions of all
types and sizes are hitting the road and bringing into play what this country has to
offer beyond the glitz and glamour of Tinsel Town. With tax incentive programs
aplenty, a deep crew base and bountiful infrastructure, filmmakers will find themselves
hard pressed to find a reason not to film in these great states.
MASSACHUSETTS
Qualifying productions planning to shoot in the Old Colony State can earn a tax
credit of 25 percent of every new dollar of spending. Not only does Massachusetts’
tax-incentive program benefit productions filming in-state, but the cost to taxpayers is
minimal. Taking into account production tax credits redeemed over the past four years,
the Massachusetts Film Office (MFO) reports that the actual cost to taxpayers is only
10 percent of every dollar that is brought into the Massachusetts economy.
According to the MFO, “Massachusetts is … the only state in the country that
allows filmmakers to take their credits either as a direct rebate at 90 percent of the
face value (guaranteed) or to sell them at market rate — whichever is more favorable.…
Beginning with the start of preproduction and continuing for a period of 12 months,
filmmakers will be eligible for 100-percent sales-tax exemption on any production-
related items purchased in the state.” The MFO also points out, “This credit is not just
for big Hollywood moguls. With the spending threshold lowered to $50,000 and with
‘digital media projects’ now eligible, Massachusetts has extended the benefits of the
film tax credit to thousands of locally based, small independent and documentary
filmmakers — key elements of our ever-expanding Creative Economy.”
In support of its calculations, the MFO website has posted select portions of
the results of a February 2010 UMass report on the Massachusetts film industry. The
study shows how direct in-state production spending has had a “ripple effect” on
spending in Massachusetts in general, and how it has generated even more tax revenue
for the state: For each new dollar collected from direct production spending within the
state, an additional 95 cents are generated in indirect spending, which means not only
more tax money pouring into Massachusetts’ economy, but also a greater benefit to
Massachusetts’ residents. The UMass report also notes that employment in film and
television production has increased in Massachusetts during a period when total state
employment was on the decline, as the Massachusetts’ film-incentive program has had
a significant impact on the state’s economy as a whole, even in this tough economic
climate. The study states that some of this job growth has helped to offset job losses
in other sectors, like construction and transportation, as Massachusetts is “among the
fastest-growing” states in the country for film production.
Many high-profile film and television projects have recently shot in Massachusetts,
including Knight and Day (starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz), The Fighter (starring
Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg and Amy Adams), The Town (starring Ben Affleck, Blake
Lively and Jon Hamm), The Company Men (starring Kevin Costner, Ben Affleck and
Tommy Lee Jones) and NBC’s “Losing It with Jillian” and “Friday Night Lights.” For
upcoming productions seriously considering Massachusetts, the Film Office will assist
producers in identifying “script-appropriate, film-friendly” locations in the state; cover
and break down scripts for locations; post photos on the web for producers to review;
and help facilitate your first location scout in the state.
 |  |  |
Massachusetts in “Top Ten” again!
by Roland Hansen
by Roland Hansen
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